worm turns

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Phrase

worm turns

1. (idiomatic, usually preceded by the) Circumstances change so that a previously disadvantaged party gains the advantage, or vice-versa.
   • 1875, Louisa M[ay] Alcott, chapter 12, in Eight Cousins‎^[1]:

     "The poor old Worm turns as if she was treading on him instead of cuddling him like a pussy cat."

   • 1914, E. Phillips Oppenheim, chapter 22, in The Vanished Messenger:

     "I've waited on you hand and foot, done dirty work for you, put up with your ill-humours and your tyranny, and never grumbled. But there is a limit! You've made a poor sort of creature of me, but even the worm turns, you know."

   • 1982 December 11, Frances Russell, “Economic performance buoys Pawley’s position”, in The Vancouver Sun (The Weekend Sun), Vancouver, BC, page A6:

     However, the evidence to date in the new session indicates the worm may have turned. The government has become more seasoned and confident of its political skills.

   • 2002 April 21, Vicki Vasilopoulos, “Word's Out. New Jersey's In.”, in New York Times, retrieved 13 December 2016:

     "New Jersey used to be the armpit of the universe," Mr. Rockland said. "Well, the worm turns. And I think anything that's down so long eventually is going come up."

Usage notes

• Often used in the past tense: the worm has turned.

Related terms

• even a worm will turn (proverb)
• turnabout

Further reading

• “worm turns”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.